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We’re all so much more environmentally conscious now than we were this time ten years ago. The conservation narrative has been adopted by the mainstream and fashion isn’t exempt from this. Sustainability is creeping its way up on the agendas of garment technologists across the world, but which materials have taken the most inspiration from nature? With some guidance from CT Shirts, suppliers of high quality, Oxford shirts let’s take a look at some innovative materials which are inspired by nature.

Organic cotton

While conventional cotton is notorious for its chemical reliance and a dependence on a copious amount of water needed to flourish, the fashion industry has found an alternative, natural product. GOTS cotton has been manufactured to rival traditional cotton. The production process doesn’t require any harmful pesticides — which have been linked to causing cancer in the past. This material takes a holistic revision of the classic production methods of cotton, while maintaining all the benefits of being a natural fibre. It is a breathable, sustainable alternative which can be incorporated into various garments.

Linen

Linen is a popular material for a whole host of garments suited best to warmer climes, renowned for its breathability and comfort – plus, it is also used in other household items such as bedsheets and towels. However, not many people know that linen is a plant derivative! It is made from the stem of the flax plant, and growing linen is not an excessive time nor water consuming process. It rivals cotton on durability, and it even gets stronger with every wash. As an organic fabric, when it is untreated it is biodegradable, making it a brilliant choice for the environmentally conscious among us. Linen products are timeless wardrobe staples, and they look brilliant in white or alternatively muted tones like ecru, ivory, tan and grey.

TENCEL™ (Lyocell/ Modal)

An Australian firm have pioneered the production of TENCEL™, combining and then dissolving cotton scraps and wood pulp, sourced from certified sustainable forests. The material is essentially cellulose fibres and it produces a light and multi-purpose fabric, which has soared in availability in recent years. It is 50% more absorbent than cotton, unshaken by moisture, and with an impressive anti-bacterial quality, it is the ideal choice for activewear garments. In terms of efficiency, it is far cheaper and less resource consuming than producing conventional cotton. As well as this, it is biodegradable which is a sought-after quality in a society which is looking more and more towards finding new ways to limit our input onto landfill sites.

The production of TENCEL™ does require petrochemicals, but they are only used under a closed-loop system, so the solvent is recycled which helps to keep waste to a minimum.

Hemp

As one of the oldest fabrics in the world, hemp is now widely used in creating garments. It’s derived from the stem of the hemp plant, and the resultant product shares a lot of similarities with linen. The qualities of hemp garments help to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer months, making it an extremely versatile choice to incorporate into items for every season. It is also extremely UV resistant, making it great for swimwear!

The hemp plant itself is also pest resistant, meaning that it doesn’t require any harmful herbicides, fungicides or pesticides to yield — an added bonus is that it doesn’t need much water either, and only a small amount of surface area to grow successfully. Plus, as it grows, it returns much of the nutrients it uses to the soil, making it good for the surrounding ecosystem. The hemp can be produced into fabrics through an entirely organic process as well, which adds to the environmental benefit.

The materials that make up our day-to-day outfits are changing, and we could certainly be seeing a lot more of these new innovative nature inspired fabrics in the future.

Photography in a wedding is very important and some people even think that it might be the most important part of a wedding party and we don’t dispute. It is the photos that stores the memories for thousands of years. The photo of your first kiss will be displayed all over the walls of your house and your Instagram account will be filled with these photos and videos.

The photos and videos are definitely the most visible memories. But of course, before all that you have toprofessional wedding photographer who will be with you the whole time capturing the magical moments? A photographer is no magician so he cannot possibly know how you want your photos taken or even the date of the wedding if you don’t tell him. So, if you want to get perfect photos that you will be reminding you of this special day for years, you will definitely need to communicate to your photographer clearly.

So, what are the things you must ensure that your photographer knows before the wedding day?

V. Tell your photographer the most important thing about your photos.

Before you hire a wedding photographer, you need to sit down with your partner and ask yourselves what is the most important thing to you when it comes to photography. What makes you happy, what type of images appeals you the most? Go through the internet on platforms like Pinterest and get an idea of how you might want your photos to look like. Send some photos that you like to the photographer so that he can get an idea of your vision too. For example you might want your photos to have those incredible night shots but you of course don’t want to skip the bridal party images. If you communicate this to your photographer in advance, he will be able to pay close attention to what matters the most to you.

V. What is the most important when it comes to the photographer himself.

Let us be real, it is not just the photos that matters during your wedding party right? You might be wanting some cool and nice pictures but there is still more to consider before you hire a wedding photographer. For example, how do you want him to wear, or do you want him to show up on your wedding wearing sweatpants and a hood? And instead of people focusing on the photos they be concentrating on the photographer.

A photographer who doesn’t seem like he is prepared he might end up ruining the experience of your guests and make your parents and in laws disappointed. If the photographer is making some rude comments or stepping on the toes of everyone while taking the photos, he will definitely make the people turn off. If the photographer is so bossy and just seems to be frustrated at every small thing, that’s not a photographer to hire for your special occasion. You need to go for a photographer who has an open mind, one who understands and one who will stick to the agenda.

V. Communicate the wedding date and timeline of the day to the photographer.

If you want the wedding to be perfect it is very wise not to ignore the timeline detail. The wedding timelines eliminates potential stress and the potential of sacrificing some wedding photos coz time is less. Create a timeline of your wedding day even if it is just a rough idea and share it with your photographer. Some experienced wedding photographers might even help you with creating a perfect wedding timeline. If you don’t have a well-planned timeline for your wedding day, a lot of time will be wasted and the only way to cater for the lost time is by reducing the time for your wedding photos.

V. Make your photographer aware of the photos that matters the most.

It won’t hurt if you give your photographer a short list of the most important photos to you following a particular order. But if you hire an experienced photographer you might not need to make any list because they are usually familiar with the wedding procedures. They know exactly the wedding details that must be captured. But if you are hiring a newbie, there is no need to risk, just write him a well detailed list that he will follow so that every detail can be captured. But do you really have to go through all that? Just hire an experienced photographer all you need to tell him is the details of what really matters to you and the moments that usually occurs during the wedding that you forgot to mention, he will be sure to capture because he knows they should be captured.

V. Communicate your fears.

Of course this is no easy thing to do. That’s why you should make sure that you hire a wedding photographer you can trust. You need to be able to communicate your worst fears with your photographer at a comfort level. By communicating your worst fears with the photographer he will help you conquer them and this will make your wedding more Amazing.

V. The family drama.

Don’t be afraid to communicate the family dramas to your wedding photographers. This is their line of duty, they have seen lots of them in other weddings and there will always be family dramas that’s why they are families. If it is divorced parents communicate to your photographer in advance, if you have an auntie who don’t like being photographed, communicate in advance. Giving an example, your parents might be divorced and they can’t stand being next to each other. If you don’t tell your wedding photographer in advance he might insist that they stay close to each other and this might lead to unnecessary awkward situations in your wedding day.

And before I finish, it is also very important to tell your photographer what you don’t want. Most people are always consumed with telling their photographers what they want and they end up forgetting what they don’t want.

Picking your outfit takes a lot of consideration. And everything has to be just right. You need to make sure that you know exactly what you are doing, where you are going, what the weather will be like and, very often, who will be there. What we choose to wear is important to us, and that can even go right down to which shoes we pick.

But your shoes say quite a lot about who you are, and what type of person you are. When we see a shoe, we don’t just see that shoe; we see the concept of that type of footwear, and all of the people that have worn that particular style before. Whether we plan for it or not, our shoes are saying a great deal about us.

Here are a few examples of the types of things particular shoes say about us.

Flat Shoes

If you wear flat shoes you a practical person, who gets the job done, you might be a leader, but you are happy not to steal the limelight or demand the credit. People get what they see with you, and there are no pretences.

Strappy Heel

You like to party and want to be the centre of attention. You have perseverance and determination and quite a lot of inner strength, as these are not practical shoes, and dancing the night away in them is quite a feat.

Boots

High boots show an assertive personality. Quite often, they say that you are a dominant person, and you are strong.

Wedges

You are self-confident and outgoing. You stand above those around you.

Trainers

Going for the sporty look shows that you have lots of energy and are always on the go. You may well be competitive, and you will also be a natural leader.

Designer Shoes

You have status, and you are not afraid to show it. There is a certain degree of self-confidence about wearing designer shoes. They are a bold statement, and it shows that you appreciate the more beautiful things in life.

Well Worn Shoes

Well worn shoes show a person who is in touch with their feelings. Ethical matters may also be of great importance too.

Sneakers

Wearing fashion trainers shows that you have a young heart. You can relate to people of all ages, and you also like to be comfortable and at ease.

Flip-Flops

Flip-flop wearers are never in a great rush. You can’t move fast in flip-flops. You take life as it comes and you enjoy the moment. You don’t like to be phased by anything.

Chances are that you own quite a few of the styles above and are happy wearing quite a few. We often fulfil different roles within our everyday lives, and having the right shoes to say to the world; this is who you are today, is no bad thing. Pick your shoes to make the statement that you want, and be proud of the person you chose to be.

If you are looking for a destination for your next break that combines the perfect mix of culture and tradition along with a truly cosmopolitan vibe, Singapore is somewhere that you need to visit. Although compact, Singapore certainly packs a punch and offers a vast array of things to see and do. You may find that you want to extend your stay in Singapore or make it your mission to visit once again in the near future to experience everything this vibrant destination has to offer.

Singapore is an island city, which you will find located just off the coast of southern Malaysia. English is widely spoken in Singapore, making it even more of a convenient place for westerners to visit and explore.

This bustling city-state is home to over five million residents, is ranked fourth in the world on the list of cities with the highest density of billionaires. On the surface, Singapore may seem like any other thriving metropolis with its impressive skyline. However, if you explore Singapore a little further, you will find a city which is home to a wide variety of cultures and religions that co-exist each in their own splendor.

Culture

Singapore’s distinct districts make it a fascinating place to explore. In each of these neighborhoods, you will find a mix of culture, places of worship, art, and history.

A notable highlight of any trip to Singapore is Little India, home to Singapore’s Indian community. Make sure you have your camera ready as you wander the streets of Little India so that you can capture the eye-catching murals that line its walls, each depicting elements of its culture and history.

Another must-visit district of Singapore is Chinatown. Here you can visit the Chinese Heritage Centre to learn more about the district’s history. Chinatown is home to not one, but three notable places of worship; Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, the Masjid Jamae mosque and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum. Each of these different religious buildings is beautiful and interesting to visit during your time in Chinatown.

If you want to pack the most sight-seeing possible into your stay in Singapore, you may want to book onto one of the many organized tours that are available here. Walking tours are a popular choice and an ideal way of ensuring that you don’t miss any of the city’s cultural highlights during your visit. For further insight into Singapore’s culture and history, a visit to the National Museum of Singapore is the place to go.

Shopping

Singapore offers a fantastic place to shop whatever your budget. Whether you are on the hunt for designer labels in luxury emporiums or quirky fashion from a bohemian boutique, Singapore is the place to find it.

Singapore offers a vast choice of shopping destinations. Orchard Road is one of Singapore’s best-known shopping destinations and is famous for its luxury vibe and flagship stores.

If you prefer your fashion to be a little less mainstream, you will love the JCube mall which is home to more than 100 independent boutiques, so you could even spend a whole day here browsing through these treasure troves of fashion for a unique find.

Dining

From Michelin-starred restaurants to a wealth of street hawkers, you will find cuisine to suit every taste and every budget in Singapore.

Singapore offers every kind of world cuisine imaginable, so you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where you should eat. One of the best districts to visit for a selection of foods from around the world is Kampong Glam. Whether you want to try Lebanese dishes, or maybe a spot of Mexican cuisine, you will find it all in Kampong Glam.

For a more relaxed dining experience, visit one of the many food hawker markets on offer in the city. These food centers offer a wide choice of tasty treats to enjoy, popular haunts for foodies include the Chomp Chomp Food Centre on Kensington Park Road and the Adam Road Food Centre.

Singapore isn’t just a fantastic place to visit during the day, as the sun goes down, it’s time to get ready to go out and party! If you want to dance the night away, then head to the world-renowned club, Zouk, or if you are in the Clarke Quay area, check out Attica.

If sipping cocktails is your thing, then you will love the choice of rooftop bars the city has to offer. Take in the stunning city skyline as you chill out with a cocktail. If you have a real head for heights, then you will love 1-Altitude, which is up there as one of the highest rooftop bars in the world!

Green spaces

Gardens by the Bay is a vast space to explore and spans a staggering 101 hectares. To appreciate the area in all its gigantic glory, make your way up the Supertrees and take a wander along the walkway between them. Be sure to stick around for the awesome sky show in the evening where you will be treated to a beautiful sound and light show.

Singapore is home to many nature reserves, such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Labrador Nature Reserve, which are both great places to experience more of Singapore’s natural beauty.

Extending Your Stay in Singapore…

With its low levels of crime and unemployment, coupled with a seemingly endless amount of places to experience and explore the city’s culture, it’s only natural that you may consider extending your stay in Singapore. If you are thinking of renting in singapore deposit is an important consideration, you will usually need to provide one month’s rent as a security deposit, and then a month’s rent for each year of the term of the lease. However, the amount of deposit required could vary between landlords.

You will find a wide choice of apartments available for rent in Singapore, and many are furnished, which is perfect for you if you are new to the city.